What to do?

Deportations and ICE activity

We have received dozens of questions from the community regarding rumors about Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, immigration checkpoints, and other enforcement activity suspected of happening throughout Oregon.

Recent changes to our nation’s immigration policy have undoubtedly caused fear and panic within Oregon’s immigrant communities. Below is the latest information we have on ICE activity and what to do if you witness ICE activity or are detained.

Step one: Keep yourself safe.

Stay calm, maintain a safe distance, and do not interfere with or obstruct law enforcement. Interfering with or obstructing with law enforcement can unnecessarily escalate situations and lead to your injury or arrest.

Step two: Document the interaction.

If you have a smartphone, download the Mobile Justice Oregon App, also available in Spanish. This app will let you take video that is sent directly to the ACLU of Oregon. It also will walk you through a questionnaire that will help you document the incident after you’re done recording. If you don’t have a smartphone, but your phone has a camera, take pictures, write down your impressions immediately.

Step three: Call or text the ACLU of Oregon immigration hotline

Call or text the ACLU of Oregon immigration hotline: (971) 412-ACLU. You should only use this hotline when you personally witness an action or have information from a first-hand account of an action (i.e., you’re calling on behalf of someone who was a first-hand witness). ACLU will work with community partners to both confirm rumors and disseminate accurate information. While they will do their best to answer questions about rumors, they have limited capacity and cannot respond to general information requests. For all other ACLU legal requests or questions, please contact them via their legal request voicemail at 503.227.3186. A volunteer will return your call.

​Protect Your Family

Every family should be prepared in case of emergency. Parents may want to plan for their children’s care in the event that they are detained, deported, incapacitated, or otherwise unavailable for any period of time.

Family Preparedness plan

This document is not legal advice and is for educational purposes only. The recommendations and forms in this packet may not be appropriate for your situation. We recommend that you consult with an attorney to ensure that your legal documents are appropriate for your individual circumstances.

We do not guarantee that these forms will be legally binding. If you are reading the Spanish translation of this document, make sure to fill out the English version of the forms.

​Prevent Fraud

Do not take advice or counsel from public notaries. Only lawyers or DOJ-accredited representatives can provide legal advice on your immigration process. You can find a list of official legal providers here.

This information has been furnished by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY’S DREAMS

Don’t be fooled by false advertisements, “notarios”, or attorneys who charge an unreasonable amount of money and tell you they can file your application.

Don’t believe it if someone tells you about a secret new immigration law or claims to have connections or special influence with any government office or agency

Don’t pay money to someone to refer you to an immigration lawyer

Walk away if an immigration lawyer doesn’t have a license

Never sign an application that contains false information, and try not to sign blank forms. If you must sign a blank form, make sure you get a copy of the completed form and check to make sure all the information is correct before it is filed

Always get proof that your papers have been filed–ask for a copy or government filing receipt whenever anything is submitted in your case

Insist on a written contract that spells out all fees and expenses and make sure you receive a receipt, especially if you pay cash. If terms change, get a written explanation

Don’t let anyone “find” you a sponsor or spouse to get you a green card–it’s illegal

HAVE YOU BEEN HARMED BY A CONSULTANT OR NOTARIO?

By promising too much–and knowing too little–notarios often destroy the dreams of immigrants. They promise low-cost, quick results for everything from citizenship to green card renewal, but often do not know immigration law. Even if they actually do the work they promise, such as file green card papers, they may do it incorrectly and cause permanent harm. In fact, many notarios are simply scam artists, taking their “client’s” trust–and money–without ever delivering results.

WHERE AND HOW CAN YOU TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE CONSULTANT WHO HARMED YOU?

If you believe you are a victim of a notario unlawfully practicing immigration law, visit Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum’s site here. You can ask the government to take action against the notario who harmed you and your complaint can make a difference.

HOW CAN YOU FIND QUALIFIED IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE?

If you need help finding a qualified immigration lawyer in your area, you can contact the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) online at www.ailalawyer.com or visit our Legal Resources page.

Don’t be fooled! Many dishonest consultants will claim to be lawyers or accredited representatives. If you consult an immigration lawyer, make sure the immigration lawyer is licensed. If you work with an accredited representative, ask to see his or her accreditation with his or her current non-profit organization.

Don’t be afraid to consult an attorney! Many notarios actually charge more than attorneys to handle cases. It often costs nothing to talk to a lawyer about your personal situation. To find an attorney, visit our legal resources page.

In addition the above resource of free or low-cost immigration legal services, you may also choose to work with a private immigration lawyer. To search for a lawyer in your area, please visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Lawyer Search.

Other legal services

Visit Oregon Law Help’s directory of nonprofit legal services or contact the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service to find assistance in your area with other legal issues including housing, custody, divorce, employment, victim’s rights, and more.

Request Community Meeting

​In addition to the resources available on this website, we’re traveling the state to provide community education forums, answer questions, and provide important information and updates.